Sanders on Brazile revelations: DNC needs ‘far more transparency’

In a new op-ed, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) responds to the ex-chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Donna Brazile’s revelations about the Democratic Party nomination process with a series of reforms he says are necessary to the Democratic Party, including more transparency in finances.

Politico published an excerpt from Brazile’s new book last week, in which Brazile revealed details of a fundraising agreement between the Hillary Clinton campaign and the DNC that she said “proved” the primary was rigged in Clinton’s favor against Sanders nearly a year before Clinton clinched the nomination.

“Donna Brazile’s recent book makes it abundantly clear how important it is to bring fundamental reforms to the Democratic Party,” Sanders wrote in his op-ed response to Brazile’s revelations.

“The party cannot remain an institution largely dominated by the wealthy and inside-the-Beltway consultants. It must open its doors and welcome into its ranks millions of working people and young people who desperately want to be involved in determining the future of our nation,” he wrote.

In the op-ed, published in Politico Friday, Sanders addresses some of the issues raised by Brazile, outlining his ideas for overhauling the Democratic Party and mobilizing to defeat Donald Trump and the GOP in upcoming elections. The Vermont Senator is an independent, but ran as a Democrat in the 2016 election.

{mosads}“At a time when we have a Republican president and Republican Party whose leadership and agenda are strongly opposed by the American people, now is the time for real change,” he wrote. “It is critical that we come together and reform the Democratic Party.”

Sanders suggests several reforms that he says are “desperately needed” to save the future of the Democratic Party, such as changing the super delegate system, making it easier for residents in certain states to participate in primaries without time limits on when they have to change their party registration and involving more independents in primaries and the Democratic Party process.

He also recommended making it easier for working people and students to participate in caucuses, and suggested more transparency in the financial processes within the party.

“Finally, if we are to succeed, we must fully appreciate Brazile’s revelations and understand the need for far more transparency in the financial and policy workings of the Democratic Party,” he wrote. “Hundreds of millions of dollars flow in and out of the DNC with little to no accountability. That simply is not acceptable.”